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Friday, June 12, 2009

Last week, I received an e-mail from a representative who works in marketing for a publishing firm in New York. I was informed that they had seen my blog and wanted to offer me an advance copy of a book on behalf of G.P. Putnam’s Son’s. They needed my address to send me the book.

I was surprised, to say the least. I wondered, “why my blog?” when there were so many others out there. And then, immediately I was concerned because of the address thing. So once I had determined that they were in fact, real and not an axe murderer posing as someone from a publishing firm, I decided to go ahead and do it.

Basically, I would read the book and publish my thoughts about it. And, if you recall, I had asked for suggestions for summer reads in a recent post. I just never imagined I’d get an answer from someone at a publishing house. However, looking at it from a marketing point of view, I’d be cruising the blogosphere too, using key words and zoning in on blogs that might meet my requirements. I mean, if I worked in marketing.

Well, the book came immediately and when I arrived home from work the other day and saw a package from the Penguin Group of Publishing, I was really relieved to find that it wasn’t some stalker nut on the internet.

The marketing rep writes: “The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a delightful read that’s perfect for Summer, about an Indian man named Ali struggling to come to terms with his own retirement in Southern India. He decides to open his own "Marriage Bureau for Rich People" in the front room of his home and start a second career as professional matchmaker. The bureau becomes the dwelling of a whole spectrum of colorful stories and encounters: here, you will meet a father who wants a tall son-in-law because his daughter is short; a divorced woman who ends up reuniting with her ex-husband; a salesman who can't seem to sell himself without Ali's help; and a wealthy, young doctor for whom no match is ever perfect.
The novel has been described as an alluring cross between Alexander McCall Smith and Jane Austen--McCall for style, and Jane Austen for the subject matter. And it's not a book lacking in depth either, as Zama's portrait of the trials of love and marriage also conveys the state of India as a country still grappling with the politics of caste, religion and civil unrest.”

You know, it sounds good to me. And I already love the fun cover. So I’ll keep you posted.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

I took the post title from one of my favorite songs, “Amie” from Damien Rice.

Something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all
But I'm not a miracle
And you're not a saint
Just another soldier
On the road to nowhere

How you came about receiving the book is indeed a bit unusual and strange, but packed with possibilities. The book hype makes one think it might be interesting. I look forward to reading what you think about it.

How weird! You are braver than I in sending out your email... I am always so shocked when I discover how many people "discover" my blog and then talk to me about it. I'm always sure I'll find a stalker.

Oh my goodness, I'm so jealous! lol. That's such an amazing opportunity to get to read a book before it's published and review it and everything. Congratulations! I can't wait to hear how the book turns out to be - hope you enjoy it :)

Lucky you! My library has it on order, so I've joined the queue. There are some very talented Indian writers out there. If its anything like my favourite, Rohinton Mistry, this should be a great summer read.

(By the way, the comment box is telling me I'm spelling favourite wrong, but it's correct for my side of the border!)

My name is Kate. I live in Maryland with a border collie named George in an old manor house that predates the Revolutionary War. I began this blog in 2007 to share my photography with my family and friends. Welcome.

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